A New York judge has denied Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his hush money conviction, rejecting his argument that presidential immunity protects him following his election victory.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, ruled Monday that Trump’s motion to vacate the guilty verdict on immunity grounds was without merit. “Defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment and verdict is denied,” Merchan wrote in the order.
Trump’s legal team argued that the verdict should be dismissed based on a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity issued in July, which set new standards for shielding “official acts” of sitting or former presidents. Prosecutors, however, countered that the ruling does not apply to Trump’s actions in the hush money case, which they described as entirely personal conduct.
Trump was found guilty in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records stemming from a hush money payment made by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the final days of the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, a claim Trump has denied.
In his ruling, Judge Merchan emphasized the strength of the evidence presented by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. “The overwhelming evidence of guilt leaves this court no reason to disturb the verdict,” Merchan stated. He added that much of the evidence Trump’s defense called into question involved unofficial conduct, which is not protected under presidential immunity.
“Even if this court were to consider all contested evidence as official conduct, its use as proof of personal acts—such as falsifying business records—does not infringe on the Executive Branch’s authority,” Merchan wrote.
Following the decision, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung called the ruling “a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s decision on immunity” and criticized the case as unconstitutional. “This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed,” Cheung said in a statement.
While Merchan rejected this motion, Trump still has a broader motion pending and a newly raised argument regarding potential juror misconduct. The nature of the alleged misconduct was not disclosed, but Merchan instructed both legal teams to file public letters about the issue with necessary redactions.
The sentencing for Trump’s hush money case had previously been postponed as the judge considered the defense’s motions. A new sentencing date has not yet been set.
Trump, the president-elect, is scheduled to take office on January 20, adding political weight to the ongoing legal proceedings.
